Next Club Meeting: March 16, 2024, at the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Animatrix Network is an anime & manga fan club located in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We usually meet on the third Saturday of each month (except when holidays or conventions coincide). The meetings are free and open to the public. Join us for a day filled with anime.

This site provides news, reviews, commentaries, and previews of the world of anime and everything it inspires, such as live-action films, comics, music, art, and other weird things to enjoy and contemplate.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Halloween Is Grinch Night


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
The evil Grinch who stole Christmas is back to steal Halloween! It's Grinch night and all over Whoville, a horrible storm has started which gives the Grinch a chance to have some fun. But he's soon foiled by a young boy who's on his way to the Uphamisim.




Sunday, October 30, 2016

Missing Halloween


The beautiful yet tragic story about two kids trick-or-treating.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Peanuts/Stranger Things animated parody

A  STRANGER  THINGS  CHRISTMAS
[Source: blastr] In this Peanuts/Stranger Things mash-up, Will Byers returns home from the upside down, but can't seem to shake off that traumatic experience.

The charming cartoon universe of Charles Schultz's Peanuts is the perfect place for the Stranger Things gang to conquer in this awesome mashup video by YouTuber OnlyLeigh, titled Merry Christmas Will Byers. Taking the cast and setting of A Charlie Brown Christmas and transforming it into an existential playground for the Stranger Things crowd is a serious stroke of genius, and we're amazed at how well the two properties blend together.

Watch Will return from The Upside Down and begin to question his bizarre experiences in the netherrealm, with a surprise doghouse cameo by the demogorgon. It's a pre-Halloween treat sure to satisfy your stranger cravings.

Friday, October 28, 2016

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK Extended Trailer

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK
The Justice League Dark, or JLD, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. First appearing in Justice League Dark #1 (September 2011), the Justice League Dark originally featured John Constantine, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Shade, the Changing Man and Zatanna. The team consists of the more supernatural members of the DC Universe, handling situations deemed unfit for the traditional Justice League.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Anime Viewing Schedule for October 29, 2016

Saturday, October 29, 2016
Wood Dale Public Library
"Get your anime treats at the Animatrix Network!"
Main Meeting Room, 10:15 am to 5:00 pm

10:15 - 11:05    Macross Delta 9-10
11:30 - 11:55    Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World 4-5
11:55 - 12:45    Joker Game 9-10
12:45 - 1:35      Izetta: The Last Witch 1-2
1:35 - 2:15        Club Meeting / Announcements
2:15 - 3:05        Flip Flappers 1-2
3:05 - 4:35        Miss Hokusai (Feature Presentation)

All anime presented are fan-subtitled unless otherwise noted.
 
Start watching the exciting new anime series: Macross Delta and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress!
ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Halloween pumpkins from a galaxy far, far away....

STAR WARS PUMPKINS
[Source: blastr] Throw a rock and you’ll hit a kid in a Jedi costume, or a little Kylo Ren running around begging for candy. But if you’re looking to give your porch or living room a little Star Wars flair, the new films have inspired some surprisingly great jack o’ lantern ideas. But be warned: From BB-8 to furry Chewbaccas, and even full-on pumpkin re-creations of The Force Awakens’ poster design — these things are certainly not for the novice pumpkin carver. But don’t let that scare you. If you’re feeling patient and particularly geeky, here are a dozen of the coolest Star Wars pumpkin ideas we could find for 2016....

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Trailer

GUARDIANS of the GALAXY Vol. 2
They’re back. Check out this sneak peek of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" coming to theaters May 5, 2017!

Monday, October 24, 2016

Logan - Official Trailer

W  O L L O V G E A R N I  N  E
[Source: blastr] If you didn’t know it was an X-Men film walking in, the first trailer for James Mangold’s Logan didn’t do a whole lot to really give it away — and that’s awesome. So what does the director have to say about this very different take on Wolverine?

Empire chatted with Mangold in a breakdown of the new trailer, and the interview included a few major details for fans. First up: He confirmed the film is set after the future coda in X-Men: Days of Future Past, meaning we’re probably around the late 2020s or early 2030s at this point. He also talked about how age has changed Wolverine both physically and mentally, meaning we might not be able to see all the scars he’s sporting.

Check out an excerpt from his comments below:

“One of the things we all thought about as we worked on this film is, well, we don’t want to rebuild everything. We want to have some questions. In order to make a different Logan, and a different tone of a Wolverine movie, we felt like we couldn’t hold on to every tradition established in all the movies religiously, or we’d be trapped by the decisions made before us. So we questioned whether Logan’s healing factor causes him to heal without even a scar. We imagined that it may have when he was younger, but with age, he’s getting older and ailing. Perhaps his healing factor no longer produces baby-soft skin. So we imagined he heals quickly, still, but it leaves a scar. The simple idea was that his body would start to get a little more ravaged with a kind of tattooing of past battles, lacerations that remain of previous conflicts…

We are in the future, we have passed the point of the epilogue of Days Of Future Past. We’re finding all these characters in circumstances that are a little more real. The questions of ageing, of loneliness, of where I belong. Am I still useful to the world? I saw it as an opportunity. We’ve seen these characters in action, saving the universe. But what happens when you’re in retirement and that career is over? The really interesting thing to me, or a place to dig that hadn’t been dug, was the idea of mutants when they’re no longer useful to the world, or even sure if they can do what they used to do. Their powers are diminished like all of ours are by age.”

Logan is set to open March 7, 2017.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Beloved toon characters made nightmarish

N i G h T m A rT O o N s
[Source: blastr] This frightful new art series by Swedish tattoo artist and digital illustrator Dennis Carlsson may evoke some serious sleepless nights as he's created twelve toothy abominations out of some of your most cherished childhood cartoon and animated characters. Going by the DeviantArt handle Disse86, Carlsson uses various techniques to transform the cute and cuddly toons into mortifying manifestations of malignant mayhem.
 
I've seen other artists' paintings of cartoon characters in their own style, so I decided to try it out with my style. I painted the minion first and had so much fun that I just kept going. Making cute characters creepy was my goal, and not to scare children but to give adults a good laugh. At least if they share my sense of humor..  All of them are more or less improvised. Often not knowing what I want to add or change to make them creepy or weird. But that's one of the fun parts of it. And sometimes I just feel like trying out to paint something that has a sertain texture or sliminess etc. and see if I can render it. 

No planning more than that, just having fun. The response have been mostly positive. Even if many comments are: "You ruined my childhood", they often end it with, "but I like it," which I'm really happy for. 
 
Enter Carlsson's monstrous menagerie of Tweety, Totoro, Winnie The Pooh, Mike, Minion, Sulley, Shrek, Lilo and Stitch, Tigger, Piglet, Pikachu and Eeyore in the gallery below and tell us which ones might bring you nightmares!

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Next Club Meeting is October 29, 2016

 A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
"How do I let Will know about the meeting?
Oh what stranger things indeed!"

Wood Dale Public Library
520 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, IL  60191
Main Meeting Room
Saturday, October 29, 2016
10:15 AM - 5:00 PM
 

Our next club meeting will be at the Wood Dale Public Library
Main Meeting Room (on your far right as you enter the front doors), 
from 10:15 AM to 5:00 PM 
(until the library closes).

There is public transportation available. 
A Metra train-stop is located within walking distance. 

Please note: If you are driving, please park your car 
on the south side of the building (not the front) in order to 
make room for other library patrons.
 
A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.
 
Hope to see you all there!

(Click below for maps

Friday, October 21, 2016

CURSED - Animated Short Film


C  U  r  S  E  D
Cursed is about a villainess who enjoys bringing chaos and disaster. But when something crosses her way of evil-doing, things turn out for the unexpected.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

The Song For Rain - Short Animated Film


The Song For Rain
This animated short film tells the story about a little boy who meets a fox on a rainy day. The fox wants to collect water from the city, so the little boy helps the fox with his plight and accidentally, he finds a secret world from where the little fox lives.
- Official Selection. ANNECY international Festival, France 2013
- Official Selection. ICCI ‐ BAF, India 2013
- Official Selection. 10th Annual Children’s Film Festival Seattle 2014

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

ROGUE ONE - Supercut of ALL trailers


These guys mashed together *almost* ALL of the material from the ROGUE ONE Teaser, 2 Domestic Trailers, International Trailer and BTS Sizzle Reel. Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Borrowed Time - short film by 2 Pixar animators


BORROWED TIME
"Borrowed Time," a superb short from Pixar animators Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj, just made its online debut.

The emotional work, which observes a still-mourning sheriff as he recalls a tragic accident from his past, took around five years to make, and was created entirely in Coats' and Hamou-Lhadi's spare time. But for its creators, each minute was worth it. They're hoping to expand the world of American short film.

“In America, animation has largely become synonymous with kids’ films, whereas elsewhere around the world it’s celebrated as a medium that can be used to tell any story,” Coats told Variety.

"Having worked on family films with a lot of heart and comedy, we wanted to do something outside of our comfort zone: a serious, action drama. We knew this would be a huge challenge for us,” Hamou-Lhadj added.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Power Rangers Movie Trailer

SABAN’S POWER RANGERS
SABAN’S POWER RANGERS follows five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove — and the world — is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

'Mecha-Ude' Anime Kickstarter Project

Animator Sae Okamoto Launches
'Mecha-Ude' Anime Kickstarter Project
Campaign seeks US$25,000 to expand team to produce 25-minute anime short
[Source: AnimeNewsNetwork] Animator Sae Okamoto launched a Kickstarter campaign for an anime project titled Mecha-Ude (Mechanical Arms) on October 1. The project seeks to raise US$25,000 to build a bigger production team for the project, which will produce a 25-minute pilot episode. The campaign will end on November 5. As of press time, the campaign has raised US$21,005. 

The project is streaming a teaser video, with a longer teaser movie "currently being prepared." 

The campaign page describes the anime:
Hero was a high schooler living an ordinary life. One day, he meets a very strong and intelligent mechanical arm named “Mecha-ude”. After a strange turn of events, the “Mecha-ude” started living inside Hero's hoodie and the two's life full of trouble begins.
As the boy and his “Mecha-ude” fights together and strengthen their bonds, the two also meets new friends who also fights along with each of their own unique “Mecha-ude” partners.
Out of those, one of the heroine has two “Mecha-ude” which appears out of her skirt. An active girl with a totally opposite characteristics from hero himself, he gradually becomes attracted to her.
But the two are confronted with other “Mecha-ude” users who are in search of the secret of “Mecha-ude” relentlessly.
In this work, an anima-machine named “Mecha-ude” with self-awareness appears. Even though they look inorganic in nature, they all show or express their own feelings and opinions. They can feel angry, sad, and even encouraged to fight against enemies.
The project plans to finish the anime by December 2017. 
Backer rewards include digital wallpapers, special images, digital and physical (Blu-ray Disc and DVD) copies of the anime, a box set that includes a mini-book and original soundtrack, hoodies, figures, an invitation to a private screening party, posters, and dinner with Okamoto.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Miss Hokusai - Official English Theatrical Trailer

M I S S   H O K U S A I
Film opened in New York, Los Angeles on Friday with wider U.S., Canada release later this month
[Source: AnimeNewsNetwork] Annecy-winning director Keiichi Hara (Summer Days with Coo, Colorful) directed the film based on Hinako Sugiura's acclaimed historical manga Sarusuberi. The film originally premiered in Japan in May 2015. 
Production I.G describes the story of Miss Hokusai:
The time: 1814.
The place: Edo, now known as Tokyo. One of the highest populated cities in the world, teeming with peasants, samurai, townsmen, merchants, nobles, artists, courtesans, and perhaps even supernatural things.
A much accomplished artist of his time and now in his mid-fifties, Tetsuzo can boast clients from all over Japan, and tirelessly works in the garbage-loaded chaos of his house-atelier. He spends his days creating astounding pieces of art, from a giant-size Bodhidharma portrayed on a 180 square meter-wide sheet of paper, to a pair of sparrows painted on a tiny rice grain. Short-tempered, utterly sarcastic, with no passion for sake or money, he would charge a fortune for any job he is not really interested in.
Third of Tetsuzo's four daughters and born out of his second marriage, outspoken 23-year-old O-Ei has inherited her father's talent and stubbornness, and very often she would paint instead of him, though uncredited. Her art is so powerful that sometimes leads to trouble. "We're father and daughter; with two brushes and four chopsticks, I guess we can always manage, in a way or another." 
Decades later, Europe was going to discover the immense talent of Tetsuzo. He was to become best known by one of his many names: Katsushika Hokusai. He would mesmerize Renoir and van Gogh, Monet and Klimt. 
However, very few today are even aware of the woman who assisted him all his life, and greatly contributed to his art while remaining uncredited. This is the untold story of O-Ei, Master Hokusai's daughter: a lively portrayal of a free-spirited woman overshadowed by her larger-than-life father, unfolding through the changing seasons.

Miss Hokusai previously won: the Jury Award in the Official Feature Film Competition at the 39th Annecy International Film Festival in June 2015; the Sequences Award for best Asian feature film, the Satoshi Kon Award for best animated feature film, and the Gold Audience Award for best animated feature film at the 19th annual Fantasia International Film Festival in August 2015; the Best Animated Feature Film award at the 48th annual Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in October 2015; Best Animated Feature Award at the Asian Pacific Screen Awards in November 2015; and Best Animation Film Award at the Mainichi Film Awards in January.

Friday, October 14, 2016

1960's Batman & Robin Return!

-  B  A  T  M A  N  - 
Return of the Caped Crusaders
[Source: blastr] The retro parade keeps on rolling with the release of DC Entertainment's Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, voiced by the ever-youthful talents of Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar, reprising their vintage roles from the original Batman TV series which ran from 1966-68. The new animated feature unspooled during a Fathom Events screening at select movie theaters around the country Monday night, followed by its VOD availability today, Oct. 11, then a Blu-ray and DVD release on Nov. 1. This latest dip into the nostalgia well was directed by Rick Morales (Justice League: Cosmic Clash) and gathers a cadre of crazy Bat villains in a cool flashback caper that'll have you sporting your tie-dyed t-shirt and flower-power headband before you know it.

Here's the official synopsis from Warner Bros. Animation:
 
It’s back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by a quartet of Batman’s most fiendish foes – Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. This time, the four Super-Villains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City. It’s a truly fantastic adventure that will pit good against evil, good against good, evil against evil … and feature two words that exponentially raise the stakes for both sides: Replicator Ray. Holy Multiplication Tables!

Fire up the Bat Boosters and watch this new clip of the Batmobile bolting out of the Batcave.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

New 'Rogue One' Trailer

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
We’re two months away from the theatrical debut of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, but Lucasfilm isn’t quite done teasing the highly anticipated prequel. This morning, the studio has released the film’s final full trailer (watch it above), which delivers even more glimpses at stirring speeches, hectic combat, and spoilers about the true motivation driving Felicity Jones’ Jyn Erso to take up the Rebel cause.

It’s the revelations about the film’s heroine that fans should be wary of before watching the above trailer, as those interested in going into Rogue One completely cold surely will be displeased with the promo’s detailed revelation that… (spoilers follow)

Jones’ Jyn Erso is the daughter of Mads Mikkelsen’s Galen — and the latter, apparently in order to spare his daughter from the wrath of the Empire’s Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), has agreed to be the primary architect of the Death Star. In other words, Rogue One will be yet another Star Wars saga rooted in the relationship between estranged fathers and children, although Gareth Edwards’ contribution to the franchise also still seems fully committed to casting its action as a war movie, with massive sandstorm explosions, marketplace skirmishes, prison breaks (how else would Jyn get recruited by the Rebel Alliance?), and battles on and around magnificent beaches.

No doubt Star Wars aficionados will soon be parsing every shot of this new Rogue One trailer to reveal its many other heretofore unknown clues and bombshells (as well as to geek out over the latest view of Darth Vader). Rogue One: A Star Wars Story — co-starring Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, and Forest Whitaker — hits theaters on December 16, 2016.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Legend of Korra on DVD and Blu-ray

DON’T MISS THE ENTIRE SAGA IN ONE EPIC COLLECTION
THE LEGEND OF KORRA:
THE COMPLETE SERIES
Available on DVD and Limited Edition Blu-ray*
December 13, 2016

NEW YORK – October 4, 2016 – For the first time in one collection, fans can relive every exciting element-bending moment from the worldwide phenomenon with The Legend of Korra: The Complete Series, available on DVD and Limited Edition Blu-ray December 13, 2016, just in time for the holidays! With all four books of the fan-favorite series, this 8-disc collection contains every pivotal Korra moment. From meeting Avatar Korra-a teenage girl from the Southern Water Tribe-in Book One, to Korra embarking on a groundbreaking journey of self-discovery and restoring balance to the Earth Kingdom in Book Four, every Korra battle and adventure is now available in one place!

The Legend of Korra: The Complete Series contains all 52 episodes from this one-of-a-kind television series. That’s over 20 hours of air, earth, water and firebending fun! Produced by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution, The Legend of Korra: The Complete Series will be available for the suggested retail price of $42.99 (DVD) and $47.99 (Blu-ray). In addition, The Limited Edition Blu-ray includes selections from The Legend of Korra: The Art of the Animated Series as a special gift with purchase!

*while supplies last

The Legend of Korra: The Complete Series Fast Facts
Street Date: December 13, 2016
Running Time: 20 hours, 10 minutes

DVD Catalog #: 59181996000 (US); 59181997000 (CAN)
DVD Audio: Book 1: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Stereo, French 2.0 Stereo; Book 2 & Book 3: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Stereo; Book 4: English 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD S.R.P.: $42.99

Blu-ray Catalog #: 59181998000 (US); 59181999000 (CAN)
Blu-ray Audio: Book 1: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish 2.0 Stereo, French 2.0 Stereo, plus audio commentary 2.0 Stereo; Book 2 & Book 3: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital; Book 4: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.
Blu-ray S.R.P: $47.99

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Stranger Things as an 8-bit video game


STRANGER THINGS
Watch Stranger Things in 8-bit nostalgic glory! The show is widely known for its 80's vibes but watching it in 8-bit really digs deeper into our nostalgia. Grab some Eggos and watch away!

Monday, October 10, 2016

20 Years of Tomb Raider - Music Video

Tomb Raider celebrates 20 years 
with world premiere of music video
Tomb Raider 20 Year Celebration Medley from Composer and Pianist Sonya Belousova and Director Tom Grey of Player Piano. Join us on a musical adventure through twenty years of an icon as we explore four themes throughout the storied game series. Be sure to check out Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration on October 11, 2016. Pre-order at http://BuyROTTR.com

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Trollhunters the Animated Series

T R O L L H U N T E R S
NEW YORK, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The animated, family series DreamWorks' Trollhunters is to debut via Netflix on Dec. 23.
The announcement was made Saturday at New York Comic Con where thousands of fans gathered at Madison Square Garden to watch the first two episodes of the show and meet the creative team behind it.

On hand for the panel discussion were creator and executive producer Guillermo del Toro; voice talent Kelsey Grammer, Ron Perlman, Steven Yeun and Charlie Saxton; and executive producers Marc Guggenheim and Rodrigo Blaas.
The show also features Anton Yelchin in one of his final roles. The 27-year-old actor was killed in a freak accident when he got out of his car in the driveway at his home and the vehicle rolled over him.
"When ordinary teenager Jim Lake Jr. stumbles upon a mystical amulet on his way to school one morning, he inadvertently discovers an extraordinary secret civilization of mighty trolls beneath his small town of Arcadia," a synopsis said. "Strong-willed and seeking adventure, but wholly unprepared for the responsibilities thrust upon him, Jim is forced to take on the exalted mantle of Trollhunter, sworn to protect the good trolls from powerful enemies bent on revenge. The first human ever to hold the honor, Jim abruptly goes from fighting his way through the daily mayhem of high school to joining a war that has raged for centuries, a conflict that now threatens all of mankind and troll-kind alike. Accompanied by his closest human friends and a few key troll allies, the courageous 15-year-old must plunge headlong into a fantastical world of astonishing creatures, glorious cities, and fierce enemies desperate to destroy him. Suddenly destined to play a crucial role in an ancient battle of good and evil with stakes that couldn't be higher, Jim is determined to save the world -- right after gym class."